MANCHESTER UNITED 2 STUTTGART 0
Sir Alex Ferguson had rested players for the game, but it was two of his superstars that grabbed the goals - with Giggs laying on a historic first for van Nistelrooy, and the Dutchman returning the favour in the second half by providing the pass for his Welsh team-mate to add a second.
Van Nistelrooy had already shown his predatory instincts with the goal that puts him level on European goals with the iconic Law - but his ability and tenacity were in even greater evidence when he battled and twisted and turned before providing the perfect pass for Giggs to run onto and slot home with aplomb on 58.
The first half had brought a single goal, and although the sides had looked well matched in midfield - it was up front that Manchester United showed the greater threat.
That it was van Nistelrooy that should break the deadlock can hardly be considered a surprise, but good chances had already fallen to his team-mates beforehand.
Darren Fletcher had cut back well for Giggs, only for the Welshman to fire over, and a wayward Gary Neville shot had deflected so hugely that it took a good save from Timo Hildebrand to stop the ball creeping in at his left post.
It was with virtually the final action of the first half that van Nistelrooy scored his historic goal.
Giggs did wonderfully well to work the ball into space on the left and his clipped cross, although behind the Dutch striker, was headed low past the despairing Hildebrand.
In truth Stuttgart were disappointing - looking organised but lacking the spark in the final third that they had shown with victory over United in Germany.
Paul Scholes made a return - with the rust of a lenghty lay-off in evidence, but some nice touches suggesting the copper haired midfielder will resume his key role for The Red Devils, whilst Fletcher also showed some quality passing after early nerves had dissipated.
Regardless of the result, both teams go through, with United ensuring they miss out on some of the other group toppers - and the ease of this victory will give the English side great confidence for the knock-out stages.
MAN UTD: Carroll, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Neville G, Neville P, Silvestre, Fortune, Scholes, Giggs, Fletcher van Nistelrooy
STUTTGART: Hildebrand, Wenzel, Soldo, Meira, Lahm, Heldt, Hinkel, Hleb, Vranjes, Szabics, Kuranyi
| | Man Utd | Stuttgart |
| Possession % | 52% | 48% |
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 5 |
| Shots off target | 6 | 4 |
| Blocked shots | 3 | 2 |
| Corners | 8 | 2 |
| Fouls | 17 | 11 |
| Offsides | 2 | 0 |
| Yellow cards | 2 | 0 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
 | ||
